Neighbour describes frightening scenes

Jun 17 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A NEIGHBOUR living close to the blazing garage has told of the “very frightening” scenes as the emergency and evacuation drama unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Christina Kirkland made one of the first of locals’ many 999 calls after seeing smoke rising from the premises on Railway Road at half past midnight.

The Centenary Avenue resident was downstairs in her home, which separated by Centenary Park from the fire site, when she was made aware of the incident – by her dog, Amoruso.

She said: “He came down from a bedroom and was barking and making noise to get my attention; I went upstairs and when I looked out of the window, I saw smoke rising up.

“At first I thought that maybe people were repairing the road, but I soon realised that it just didn’t look right and called the emergency services.

“I wondered if somebody had set a car on fire, and my concern was that houses and businesses could be destroyed.

“The whole scenario was very worrying for everybody because there are chemicals, cars and paint in that area – so many toxins and I was worried that the whole area could have been burnt out.

“People were running about Northburn Street in their nightgowns when I went outside, and I saw that the road had been blocked off and heard people had been evacuated from the flats.

“It was horrendous; smoke was coming over my house and towards Coatbridge and there were sparks rising up through it – not knowing was what happening was worrying and made for a restless night.”

Christina credits canine friend Amoruso for alerting her to the fire and prompting her to become one of the first concerned neighbours to dial 999.

She has had the five-year-old Labrador – who is named after the former Rangers captain – since he was an eight-week-old puppy and praised his “almost human” awareness.

The proud dog owner said: “He was able to smell the smoke as he was standing on a bed beside an open upstairs window.

“Dogs can sense danger before we can and when he came downstairs, it was obvious there was something wrong because he was so agitated and making noises.

“I believe my dog brought my attention to what could have been a disaster – he’s very clever and I’m very proud of him.”